I first met Dave before he met me, as I frantically prepared my degree’s final dissertation and his work on the global drug control regime shone the way. In one of those funny twists of fate, when I finally made my first steps in drug policy reform, the legend from the journal articles materialised into an inimitable colleague. Over the next decade or so, I was fortunate to share a cause and a team with Dave. Whether it was in the corridors of the UN HQ in Vienna, strategising on the future of drug policy reform at IDPC meetings, or brainstorming on change-making research, he had a sharp mind and an even warmer heart. His smile was genuine and lit up the room. Contrary to the archetype of the ‘ivory tower’ academic, Dave was a generous thinker who understood everything worthwhile is done with others. He never let his brilliance and academic prowess cast a shadow on his humanity. In fact, the opposite was true. His intellectual exploration powered his commitment to greater justice. And he built earnestly in that direction, with a knack for collaboration that made him an amazing colleague, friend, and mentor.
To Cath, Fynn and Poppy, and all his loved ones — my heart goes to you all, in the sadness of his departure and in celebration of an incredible person whose towering legacy will continue to make ripples for years to come.
Juan
I first met Dave before he met me, as I frantically prepared my degree’s final dissertation and his work on the global drug control regime shone the way. In one of those funny twists of fate, when I finally made my first steps in drug policy reform, the legend from the journal articles materialised into an inimitable colleague. Over the next decade or so, I was fortunate to share a cause and a team with Dave. Whether it was in the corridors of the UN HQ in Vienna, strategising on the future of drug policy reform at IDPC meetings, or brainstorming on change-making research, he had a sharp mind and an even warmer heart. His smile was genuine and lit up the room. Contrary to the archetype of the ‘ivory tower’ academic, Dave was a generous thinker who understood everything worthwhile is done with others. He never let his brilliance and academic prowess cast a shadow on his humanity. In fact, the opposite was true. His intellectual exploration powered his commitment to greater justice. And he built earnestly in that direction, with a knack for collaboration that made him an amazing colleague, friend, and mentor.
To Cath, Fynn and Poppy, and all his loved ones — my heart goes to you all, in the sadness of his departure and in celebration of an incredible person whose towering legacy will continue to make ripples for years to come.
Juan
